Basketball training apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to the sports training aids, in particular a improved apparatus for providing drills for new basketball players to practice rebounding skills, not having a platform or base below the players as they jump which can twist an ankle or knee. Further an improved mechanism for tuning the action in the recoil assembly is provided.

1. A training apparatus for practicing basketball drills comprising:
 (i) means for receiving basketballs being mounted on a wall surface in a substantially overhead position above a playing floor; 
 (ii) means for arranging and moving basketballs from receiving means in a substantially orderly manner; 
 (iii) means for positioning basketballs from arranging means substantially above a player, said positioning means being operatively coupled with said means for arranging and moving basketballs; 
 (iv) a recoil assembly, having a primary and a secondary position, being operatively coupled with a shock for controlling movement of said recoil assembly said shock comprising:
 a cylinder being fitted with a piston such that said piston substantially fills the cross sectional area of the cylinder, said piston being slidably attached to a rod; 
 said piston further having a top side and a bottom side being separated by a middle portion, 
 the top side further comprising a confluence being substantially void and of predetermined form; 
 the piston having at least one port for moving air between the top side and the bottom side; 
 wherein at least one of said ports terminates in the confluence, 
 said rod being operatively coupled with a bushing such that the bushing blocks the movement of air when the piston travels in a predetermined direction; 
 
 (v) such that when a basketball, positioned by said recoil assembly being in said primary position, is grabbed by the player said recoil assembly moves to said secondary position thus releasing the basketball when a predetermined amount of force is supplied; 
 (vi) means for returning said recoil assembly to the primary position. 
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the distance between the apparatus and the playing floor can be adjusted. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the adjustment means comprises a plurality of vertical races attached to the wall being movably coupled with a plurality of mounting slides, each mounting slide being securely connected with at least one coupler extending from the apparatus. 
   
   
     4. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the plurality of vertical races are positioned substantially in parallel with regard to one another, further being coordinated in such a way that each vertical race can receive a plurality of couplers. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the distance between the apparatus and the playing floor can be fixed at predetermined distances. 
   
   
     6. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the means for receiving basketballs comprises a large receiving port for easily loading basketballs. 
   
   
     7. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein means for arranging and moving basketballs comprises a storing capacity for a plurality of basketballs sufficient for extended drills. 
   
   
     8. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the recoil assembly is in communication with a rotational translator by means of a coupler. 
   
   
     9. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the recoil assembly and the rotational translator rotate in counter directions. 
   
   
     10. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the coupler further comprises a tensioner. 
   
   
     11. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the piston further comprises a release for moving air between the top side the bottom wherein the release terminates outside the confluence. 
   
   
     12. A training apparatus for practicing basketball drills having a shock assembly having minimal resistance in one direction of travel with a pre-set resistance when traveling in another direction, comprising;
 (i) a ball receiver and means for delivering basketballs to the ball receiver positioned substantially above a player; 
 (ii) the ball receiver having at least one end coupled with a hinge; said hinge attached to a lever adapted toward receiving the rotational force applied to said hinge; 
 (iii) a spring being operatively coupled with said hinge for forming a recoil assembly; 
 (iv) a shock, which serves to moderate resistance depending upon direction of rotation; 
 (v) said shock comprising; 
 (vi) a proximal tie member attached to an end and adapted for mounting the shock to a training apparatus housing; 
 (vii) coming substantially orthogonally from the end is a cylinder which houses a piston; 
 (viii) the piston being mounted on a rod, and arranged so as to divide the cylinder into an air chamber and a secondary air chamber and having at least one port for moving air between said chambers; 
 (ix) a stop being slidably mounted behind the piston, such that when the piston is being extended, air moves freely between said chambers allowing the rod to move with little resistance; 
 (x) as the piston is being compressed, the stop being designed to block at least one port thus increasing resistance of air flow between said chambers, causing the rod to move with greater resistance. 
 
   
   
     13. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the recoil assembly is in communication with the shock by means of a coupler. 
   
   
     14. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 13  wherein the coupler further comprises a tensioner. 
   
   
     15. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 14  wherein the tensioner is adjustable to further adjust the resistance according to rotational force.